A Guide to Vatican City

Here is what you need to know before visiting the Vatican.

Vatican City.

A full city-state of its own, the Stato della Città del Vaticano has been the home of the Pope for over six centuries. Whether you're visiting for religious reasons, if you're a history buff or into art scene, whatever you're reasoning is, coming here you will be blown away. Millions of visitors descend upon the Vatican throughout the year. The amount of historical, religious, and art culture within Vatican City is indeed incredible. We had a guided tour within the museum and I could honestly could be there for endless hours just admiring the amazing art work. I was in the moment just immersing myself in the experience that I barely took many photos. The sistine chapel was just pure breathtaking. It is definitely a must see stop when around Italy!

If you're coming during the summer, please stay hydrated. The day we were here there was a heatwave happening and let me tell you it was hard to focus sometimes. Because of the beaming heat and of course being there during high season, it get's pretty crowded with tourists and other tours; you may feel a bit uneasy. I would highly recommend going with a plan or an idea of what you’ll find inside is the best way to avoid being overwhelmed by all the options. While most come just to see the Sistine Chapel, The Vatican Museums have much more to offer than just the Chapel.

Quick Facts.

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world with the smallest population. It has a population of about 1,000 people.
The Vatican has it's own Post Office and issues it's own stamps.
The points of interest within Vatican City are St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel.
It is said that if you spent only one minute admiring each painting, it would take you four years to complete the nine mile museum circuit.
There is a dress code for entering the Basilica and the museums. Ladies, wear long pants or medium length skirts/dresses and cover your shoulders.

Vatican Museum Hours.
It’s said that the Vatican museums alone span over 9 miles worth of art, sculptures and precious artifacts, which is pretty mind blowing and would certainly take more than one trip to take it all in. The last thing you want to do is add to the chaos and feel the need to fast forward through. To get the most out of your trip I’d generally recommend around 5-6 hrs and this should give you plenty of time to see the main attractions and explore the glorious St. Peters too.

Monday – Saturday: 9am – 6pm.
The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month. On this day, the ticket office closes at 12:30 p.m. Also, it’s free on this day.
Regardless of when you arrive, you may spend as much time as possible inside.

Travel Diary.